Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips lost in the primary in New Hampshire against United States President Joe Biden and slammed efforts to quash competitors in the race.
The Minnesota representative said that he "Felt compelled in the absence of any better-known candidates entering the stage to compete for the Democratic nomination against Joe Biden." He spoke from the campaign trail in New Hampshire ahead of his party's primary election in the state.
The American Research Group conducted a poll that showed Phillips managed to garner 32% of likely Democratic voters' support in New Hampshire during his 10-week campaign. However, the representative noted that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has been working to obstruct the vote by changing the Democratic primary schedule and preventing the engagement of delegates from the state.
The Minnesota lawmaker was then asked whether he believed that what the DNC was doing could be considered anti-democratic and he answered, "Yes, by definition." Furthermore, New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella sent a cease-and-desist letter to the DNC where he accused them of unlawful voter suppression, as per the New York Post.
On the other hand, the committee is also accused of preventing ballot printing in Florida and North Carolina as well as declaring that there will be no debates. Phillips said that he does not know of a better way to articulate the efforts other than a "threat to democracy" by undermining it and suppressing it.
The Minnesota representative said that he does not know whether or not Biden is responsible for the recent actions of the DNC. He added that the president does have a responsibility to at least be asked the question regarding the recent developments.
Phillips believes that whether or not he is asked about the issue, he said that Biden has the responsibility of addressing the matter. He said that democracy dies in the absence of competition, arguing that the current situation is a reflection of such.
Dean Phillips' Presidential Campaign
Following his loss in New Hampshire, the Minnesota lawmaker made a high-energy speech where he said that he will continue his presidential campaign Phillips said that his supporters' votes in the latest race were the most meaningful that they have cast in their entire lives, according to CBS News.
Phillips also said that he believes that he is the only candidate who can stand in the way of former United States President Donald Trump's potential re-election. He cited polls that appear to suggest Biden will have a difficult time beating his former rival in the next general election.
The situation comes as some have criticized Biden for declining to campaign in New Hampshire or even be listed on the primary ballot because of the calendar fight between the state and the DNC.
Since starting his White House bid in October last year, Phillips has hosted more than 60 events across the state. During an interview, the Minnesota official said that he will work his tail off to introduce himself to voters, adding that he plans to make it all the way until the national convention, said ABC News.
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